Molding strip for upholstery



April 93 A. L. HQWARD 1,955,187

MOLDING STRIP FOR UPHOLSTERY Filed April 12, 1930 Patented. Apr. 17, 1934 PATENT OFFICE 1.95am v Momma sran FOR UPHOLSTERY Albert L. Howard, Brockton, Mass.,assignor to Hamilton-Wade Company, Brockton, Mala. a corporation of Massachusetts Application April 12, 1930, Serial No. 443,708

13 Claim.

This invention relates to molding or finishing strips foruse in upholstering, and more especially to that class of strip which conceals the means whereby it is secured in place. The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved strip of this nature so constructed as towithstand rough usage without injury or displacement and capable also of being maintained in storage without danger of deterioration. My invention also includes within its scope a novel method of manufacturing such strips more economically and with greater accuracyin dimension than like strips heretofore known.

This type of strip normally includes in its structure a flat bottom portion and a preferably curved top portion connected together and initially, spread out open in a manner exposing both portions. In use, the bottom portion is nailed in piace'and the top portion then folded th eover in a manner entirely concealing the bottom portion and nails. Suitable metallic means, such as wire, is embodied in the strip to hold the same in place' in its final attached and folded position. A fabric covering has been provided for the strip but heretofore the wire' and covering have been rather loosely assembled in the strip, with the result that the wire frequently breaks through the strip material and causes damage. Also, in those constructions wherein cement has been relied upon, the cemented joints have had a tendency to give way. especially when the goods are held in storage. It is an object of my invention to provide an improved-strip wherein the metallic holding or re- 36 taining element and covering are so secured that they remain permanently in place and thereby eliminate the trouble and damage heretofore experienced.

In the preferred form of my invention, I in- 40 corporate a wire, preferably in the form of a woven mesh or netting, within a core of plastic material in'such manner that .the wired core forms a unit byzitself. and in proceeding with the manufacture of the strip I cover this core with a suitable fabric. Further objects of my invention-are to provide such a core and an improved molding strip therefrom wherein the wire is held securely within the core andthereby prevented from becoming exposed and causing such trouble as displacement of the top portion of the strip and other damase bycatching onto clothing and the like which may come into contact with the strip. To this end, an important feature of the invention consists in a core of 55 plastic material molded, by extrusion or otherwise, with a flexible metallic element integrally incorporated therein. In a core so constructed the metallic element may be located with extreme accuracy and uniformly covered,.a permanent bond is secured with the plastic material and Q0 rapid manufacture is made possible.

In the accompanying drawing, I-have illustrated certain specific embodiments of my invention but it will be understood that the invention can be otherwise embodied and that the drawing 5 is not to be construed as defining or. limiting the scope of the invention, the claims appended hereto being relied upon for that purpose.

Referring to the figures of theinvention,

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view through the prepared core of one form of improved molding trip;

Fig. 2 isa perspective view of the core, the end thereof being shown as broken away;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a completed por- '7 tion of the strip and showing the operation of applying the same;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing a modification thereof; I

Fig. 5 illustrates a modified step in the method o of covering the core;

Fig. 6 illustrates a .further modified step; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating another modified form of my invention.

I shall first refer to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing. In these views, I have illustrated my improved method of making a molding strip by first forming a strip core 1 and thereaftercov- 'ering the same to provide the improved molding strip 2. As illustrated particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, I form this core of a plastic composition, such as rubber. the rubber being'extruded in the shape illustrated to provide a top or body portion 10 and a-connected bottom or wing portion 14. In use, the top portion is adapted to be folded over onto the wing portion about a longitudinal axis 5 approximately at the junction of the two portions.

- For the purpose of. retaining the two portions of the strip in folded position, I provide a fiexible non-resilient metallic elementor elements extending transversely of the axis 5 and cooperating with both said portions. This element or elements may be imbedded in one or both of the portions, as may seem desirable and'is adapted to be readily doubled or folded to form a longitudinally-extending vertex in the attached strip.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, I have illustrated the me- -tallic element or elements as comprising wire netting 16 and, in its preferred 'form and as 110,

'l f'l v the other edge of the fabric and, in Fig. 6, I have however, obvious that I may under some circumstances form the plastic part of the core to comprise only the body portion 25, as illustrated in Fig. 4. In this case, the projecting portion 26 of the wire netting provides the wing portion of the core. Both of these forms of cores preferably include a head 12 on the free longitudinal edge of the body portion, which bead is adapted to serve a function hereinafter described.

In proceeding with the manufacture of my improved strip, illustrated in Fig. 3, I cover the core 1 with suitable fabric material 15. This material in the form of a strip is placed over the front face of the core and the edges 17 and 18 thereof wrapped about the edges of the core and against the rear faces of the wing and body portions 14 and 10. In the strip illustrated in Fig. 3, these edge portions of the fabric have been cemented to the flat rear faces of the core.

When applying the strip to secure a fabric 19 in place, the bottom portion 14 of the strip is laid flat in the desired location, as illustrated in Fig. 3, and nailed in place at 20. As fast as the nailing progresses, the top portion 10 of the strip is folded over onto the nailed bottom portion. This folding operation bends the wire netting 16, which thereupon acts to retain the parts thus folded. It will. also be noted that when thus folded the bead 12 fits tightly over the free edge portion 21 of the strip in a manner completely housing the same. It will now be seen that only the outer face of the top portion of the strip is visible, the nails 20 and bottom portion 14 being completely covered. It will furthermore be clear that there are no projecting parts to catch onto clothing or other objects coming into contact with the strip.

As stated above, the form of 'my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 appears to be preferable since the wires 16 are completely enclosed within the core and cannot, therefore, work out or wear their way through the fabric covering. It should, however, be stated that when using the core form shown in Fig. 4, wherein the netting 26 is exposed, a heavier covering fabric may be used if desired. In any case, the bottom portion of the strip is completely housed and the wires therein cannot become exposed so long as the top portion remains in place. The enclosing of the netting within the top portion 10 and protecting the same therein is of the greater importance.

In Fig. 5, I have illustrated a method of giving even greater security to my improved strip. In applying the fabric covering to the core in accordance with this method, I first stitch one edge 30 of the fabric to the bottom face of the core at 31. I then bring the fabric over the face of .the core and cement the free end to the rear face of the wing portion at 32. This stitching operation serves thedouble function of firmly securing the end of the fabric to the core and also aiding to secure the wire netting in place, it being clear that the stitching threads pass through the core adjacent to the wire strands of the netting. It will also be observed that the fabric entirely covers the stitching in the front face of the core.

It may be desired in some cases to also stitch illustrated such stitching. This stitching passes through both faces of the fabric and adjacent the wire netting in the wing portion of the core in a manner securing such parts against displacement. This stitching is, of course, also covered by the top part of the strip when it is folded into place. I desire it to be clearly understood that my invention contemplates such stitching in either or both portions of the strip.

While, as stated above, my preferred form of the invention embodies a pre-formed core, I desire it to be understood that the concept of the invention is not thus limited. For example, in Fig. 'I, I have illustrated a strip made in accordance with my invention wherein the core 40 is a piece of rubber, leather or other. desired material independent of the transversely-extending wire 41. In this construction, the core 40 and zig zag wire 41 are wrapped within a fabric covering 42, the edges 43 and 44 of which are brought to rest at the rear faces of the top portion 45 and bottom wing portion 46. I have illustrated the edge 44 as stitched entirely through the wing portion at 47, which stitching is adapted to hold both the fabric and wire 41 against displacement. It is obvious that I can also stitch the edge portion 43 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 5 if desirable but I have herein illustrated the same as cemented to the core 40, the wire ends being held therebetween.

It is believed that the construction, use and superior advantages of my invention will now be clear. Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Molding strip for upholstering, comprising a body portion and a connected relatively fiat wing portion, the body portion embodying a core of plastic composition and the two portions being adapted to be folded together on the line of their junction, means traversing this line at spaced intervals and extending into both said portions and having the body portion side thereof wholly molded into the said core, and a fabric covering about the outer face of the strip and extending about the ,edges and over the inner face to a position covering the strip edge'portio'ns of the said means, the said means being pliable and adapted to be bent at said junction tOhOld the two portions in their folded position.

2. Molding strip for upholstering, comprising a body portion and a connected relatively flat wing portion, the body portion embodying a core of plastic composition and the two portionsbeing adapted to be folded together on the line of their junction, 9. wire netting molded into the body portion and extending transversely into the wing portion, and a fabric covering about the outer face of the strip and extending about the edges and over the inner face to a position housing the side edges of the netting, the netting being adapted to be bent and hold the two portions in their folded position.

3. A molding strip core for the purpose described, comprising a flexible metallic element extending transversely within a body of plastic composition which is molded thereonto to form a body thereabout, the core being adapted to, be folded over on an axis extending longitudinally therethrough and the said element being adapted to hold the same in the folded position.

4. A molding strip core for the purpose described, comprising a series of relatively spaced and transversely-extending wires incorporated within a body of plastic composition which is molded thereonto to form a body thereabout, the core being adapted to be folded over on an axis extending longitudinally-therethrough and the wires being adapted to hold the same in the folded position. f

5. A molding strip core for the purpose described, comprising, a woven wire netting incorporated within a body of plastic composition which is molded thereonto to form a body thereabout, the core being adapted to be folded over on an axis extending longitudinally therethrough,' and the netting being adapted to hold'the core in the folded position.

6. A molding strip core for the purpose described, comprising a body portion and a connected wlngportion both of rubber, the two portions being adapted to be folded together on the line of their junction, and means traversing this line and molded into the two portions to hold the same in the folded position. v

7. A molding strip core for the purpose described, comprising a body portion and a connected wing portion both of a plastic composition, the two portions being adapted to be folded together on the line of their junction, means traversing this line and molded into the two portions to hold the same in the folded position, and a head on the free longitudinal edge of the body portion adapted to fit over and house the free longitudinal edge of the wing portion in their folded relation.

8. A molding strip for upholstering embodying a core as set forth in claim 3, and a fabric material covering the front face thereof and extending about the edges of the core and secured to the rear face thereof.

'9. A molding strip for upholstering embodying a core as set forth in claim 8, a fabric material covering the front face thereof and extending about the edges of the core to the rear face, and stitching extending into the strip and securing'one edge of the fabric to the rear face of the core and holding the said metallic element or elements in place. I

10. A molding strip for upholstering embodying a core as set forth in claim 3 and a fabric material covering the front face thereof and extending about the edges of the core to the rear face, and two lines of stitching extendinginto the strip and respectively securingthe edges of the fabric. to the rear face of the core and holding tallic element or elements in place.

11. A method of making molding strip of the ty e adapted to be folded transversely upon itself, consisting of forming a composite strip core by extruding a plastic composition body over and in direct contact with a metallic means extending transversely thereof, and thereafter covering the core with suitable fabric, the metallic means extending across the folding line of the strip and being pliable whereby it can be bent 'with' the strip to hold the strip in its folded position.

12. A method of making molding strip of the type adapted to be folded transversely upon itself, consisting of forming a compositestrip core by extruding a plastic composition body over and in direct contact, with a metallic means extending transversely thereof, said core comprising a top body portion and a bottom wing portion and having the .metallic means housed within both said portions, and thereafter covering the core with suitable fabric, the metallic means extending across the folding line of the strip into both portions-and being pliable whereby it can be bent with the said methe strip to hold the top portion folded on the bottom portion.

13. Molding strip for upholstery, comprising a body portion and a connected wing portion, the two portions being adapted to be folded together on the line of their junction,'the body portionembodying a core of.plastic composition having integrally incorporated therewith a metallic ALBERT L. nowmn.

110 means traversing said line at spaced intervals and 

